A medical professional and humanitarian champion supporting the NSW Chinese Australian community for more than four decades has won top honours in the Premier’s Multicultural Community Medals.
Dr Leng Tan, a GP and community leader, was awarded the SBS Lifetime Community Service Medal on a virtual presentation call with all winners hosted by Acting Minister for Multiculturalism Geoff Lee.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said it was wonderful the winners still got the recognition they deserved despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Congratulations to all the winners and finalists. You represent what makes NSW such a strong state,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We especially owe an enormous debt of gratitude to Dr Tan and all our medical professionals as we fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Even as we find ourselves living and working differently because of COVID-19, these incredible people and organisations continue to engage and connect with their communities when they need it most.”
Mr Lee said the medals are traditionally announced at the annual Premier’s Harmony Dinner gala event, however the video call ensured award winners were still recognised for the fantastic work achieved.
“While we wish we could have recognised our medal recipients in person it doesn’t detract from the incredible work you are doing to promote harmony in our community,” Mr Lee said.
“Our winners have made our society more compassionate and inclusive and I am proud of our harmonious community that welcomes everyone in NSW.”
Lifetime Community Service Medal Winner, Dr Leng Tan said that receiving the Medal was a great honour.
“This medal is recognition of the longstanding and tireless contribution of volunteers in the Asian community to migrants young and old. I am proud to have helped improved the wellbeing of individuals and to have contributed to society as a whole.”
Other medal recipients include a South Sudanese refugee and former child soldier who founded a highly successful basketball program for multicultural youth and an Arabic interpreter helping patients in hospitals across Western Sydney.
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